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Cameron, A. G. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Cameron, A. G. W..

At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

Protoplanetary core formation by rain-out of minerals

Models of giant protoplanets computed by DeCampli and Cameron (1979) show that Fe and other minerals in the planet interior are in a liquid state during one of the stages of protoplanet evolution. A model of coalescence of liquid drops was developed using the 'stochastic' collection equation of Slattery (1978); the growth times to droplets was much shorter than the period during which the drops are in a liquid state. Brownian collection quickly coalesced the tiny droplets to a radius of 0.005 cm; gravitational collection was required to form droplets of radii greater than 0.005 cm.

Slattery, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The origin of the 'FUN' anomalies and the high temperature inclusions in the Allende meteorite

The discovery of isotopic anomalies in white inclusions of the meteorite Allende has led to fundamental questions concerning the origin of these anomalies and of the white inclusions themselves. An analysis of the 'FUN' anomalies in the inclusions C1 and EK1-4-1 demonstrates that these isotopic anomalies may be decomposed into individual nucleosynthetic components, which have been subjected to separate mass and component fractionations. There is no evidence that any freshly-synthesized material injected into the primitive solar nebula was of abnormal isotopic composition, or that the FUN anomalies were due to an injection of unusual material. Rather, they show the effects of large mass fractionations and an unusual mixture of normal nucleosynthetic material, likely to be in the form of interstellar grains whose size or chemistry served as a memory for the nucleosynthetic origins of their constituent atoms. Giant gaseous protoplanets, as described for the early solar nebula by Cameron (1978), are a potential site for achieving both mass and component fractionations, and for producing white inclusions in general.

Consolmagno, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The interaction between giant gaseous protoplanets and the primitive solar nebula

The manner in which a giant gaseous protoplanet becomes embedded in the primitive solar nebula determines surface boundary conditions which must be used in studying the evolution of such objects. On the one hand, if the system resembles a contact binary system, then the envelope of the protoplanet should approach the entropy of the surrounding nebula. On the other hand angular momentum transfer by resonance and tidal effects between the nebula and the protoplanet may cause the nebula to exhibit a zone of avoidance near the protoplanet, thus inhibiting exchange of material. This problem has been studied with a computer program developed by D. N. C. Lin which simulates disk hydrodynamics by particle motions with dissipation. These studies suggest that for expected values of the protoplanet/protosun mass ratios, significant inhibition of mass exchange is likely, so that it is a reasonable next step to undertake protoplanet evolution studies with the imposition of minimum protoplanet surface temperatures.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Structure and evolution of isolated giant gaseous protoplanets

A model is developed describing the structure and evolution of isolated giant gaseous protoplanets in the mass range 0.3-4.5 Jovian masses. The central region of protoplanets of mass less than about 1 Jovian mass is, at some evolutionary epoch, thermodynamically favorable to the liquefaction of major interstellar grain components. All protoplanets studied are convective throughout most of their interior. In addition, it was found that the thermal contraction time depends sensitively on the surface opacity (at T less than 200 K).

Decampli, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

On the origin of asteroids

A general scenario is described for the early history of the solar system. The primitive solar nebula is formed from the infall of gas from a collapsing interstellar cloud fragment. It becomes repeatedly unstable against collapse to form giant gaseous protoplanets. In the course of protoplanet evolution the center of the protoplanet enters a thermodynamic regime in which common rocky minerals become liquids; convection brings solids to the central region where a substantial fraction of them rain out to form a protoplanetary core. In the inner solar system protoplanetary envelopes are tidally stripped away, thus injecting into the solar nebula large equantities of chondrules and inclusions. Late in the development of the solar nebula, after most of the gas has disappeared, turbulence dies out and the small solids settle into a thin layer at midplane of the nebula. Gravitational instabilities in this layer form asteroidal and cometary bodies. Some further consequences of this scenario are discussed.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Ortho- and para-hydrogen in dense clouds, protoplanets, and planetary atmospheres

If ortho- and para-hydrogen achieve a thermal ratio on dynamical time scales in a molecular hydrogen cloud, then the specific heat is high enough in the temperature range 35-70 K to possibly induce hydrodynamic collapse. The ortho-para ratio in many interstellar cloud fragments is expected to meet this condition. The same may have been true for the primitive solar nebula. Detailed hydrodynamic and hydrostatic calculations are presented that show the effects of the assumed ortho-para ratio on the evolution of Jupiter during its protoplanetary phase. Some possible consequences of a thermalized ortho-para ratio in the atmospheres of the giant planets are also discussed.

Decampli, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Reports of planetary geology program, 1977-1978

A compilation of abstracts of reports which summarizes work conducted by Planetary Geology Principal Investigators and their associates is presented. Full reports of these abstracts were presented to the annual meeting of Planetary Geology Principal Investigators and their associates at the Universtiy of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, May 31, June 1 and 2, 1978.

Strom, R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Physics of the primitive solar accretion disk

The theory of viscous accretion disks developed by Lynden-Bell and Pringle (1974) has been applied to the evolution of the primitive solar nebula. The additional physical input needed to determine the structure of the disk is described. A series of calculations was carried out using a steady flow approximation to explore the effects on the disk properties of variations in such parameters as the angular momentum and accretion rate of the infalling material from a collapsing interstellar cloud fragment. The more detailed evolutionary calculations involved five cases with various combinations of parameters. It was concluded that the late stages of evolution of the disks would be dominated by the effects of mass loss from the expansion of a hot disk corona into space, and the effects of this were included in the evolutionary calculations. A new theory of comet formation is formulated upon these results. The most important result is the conclusion that the primitive solar accretion disk was repeatedly unstable against axisymmetric perturbations, in which rings would form and collapse upon themselves, with the subsequent formation of giant gaseous protoplanets.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The primitive solar accretion disk and the formation of the planets

The author develops the idea that the formation of the solar system was triggered by the explosion of a supernova near a compressed interstellar cloud, which was further compressed by the supernova ejecta until it went over the threshold for gravitational collapse. During the collapse it is expected that the cloud would fragment into much smaller pieces. The principle source of friction in the collapsing nebula is taken to be turbulent viscosity, the required stirring having been supplied possibly by meridional circulation currents. The theory can be shown to account for how a great deal of condensed matter in the form of cometary bodies could be put into elliptical orbits extending toward 100,000 AU, the region of the Oort reservoir.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Physics of the primitive solar nebula and of giant gaseous protoplanets

It has been proposed that the supernova responsible for injecting Al-26 into the early solar system was in fact responsible for triggering the collapse of an interstellar cloud in order to produce a system of stars, one of which would be the solar system. Details concerning the mechanism involved in such a process are discussed. Attention is given to the evolution of the primitive solar nebula, the instabilities in the primitive solar nebula, and the giant gaseous protoplanets. The principal conclusion to be drawn from the material presented is that the primitive solar nebula was a rather chaotic place, highly turbulent, with the multiple formation of giant gaseous protoplanets.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Limitations to growth of microorganisms on Uranus, Neptune, and Titan

Reappraisal of the probabilistic policy toward planetary contamination by terrestrial microorganisms carried aboard space probes is suggested on the grounds that assignment of numerical probabilities to qualitatively unknown phenomena, as expressed in Phillips's (1974) formulation of the probability of contamination, is inappropriate. As an alternative, it is proposed that fundamental knowledge of the interacting nature of life on earth, interrelations between terrestrial organisms, and continuing effects of these organisms on earth's atmosphere and surface should guide the formulation of a sounder scientific quarantine policy. Simple conservative atmospheric models most favorable for life on Uranus and Neptune are examined. It is concluded that terrestrial microorganisms will not grow on either planet due to limitations of liquid water, atmospheric convection to lethal depths, the absence of energy sources and nutrients, the presence of ammonia and hydrogen, insufficient concentrations of biologically necessary ions, and the lack of a surface. The likelihood of terrestrial microorganism growth on Titan is found to be vanishingly small.

Margulis, L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The supernova trigger for formation of the solar system

It is suggested that the explosion of a Type II supernova triggered the collapse of a nearby interstellar cloud and led to the formation of the solar system. Estimates of the abundances resulting from nuclear processing of the supernova ejecta are presented. It appears promising that nucleosynthesis in this single supernova event can account for most isotopic anomalies and traces of extinct radioactivities in solar-system material.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Formation of the outer planets and satellites

A mechanism for the formation of the outer planets is proposed, the basis of which is the idea that the giant planets contain an excess of chemically condensable materials over solar composition. Planetary cores were formed by the clumping together of chemically condensed bodies forming a thin disk in the solar nebula. Gas surrounding a core becomes unstable against collapse onto the core. In the case of Jupiter and Saturn, much of the collapsing gas goes into orbit about the formed planet, forming a relatively thin circumplanetary disks with differential rotation in the prograde sense. For Uranus and Neptune, the dynamical collapse mechanism is unlikely. A disk of gas around Uranus may have been formed during a collision of the protoplanet with a large body. The circumplanetary disks then form the basis for formation of satellite systems, in which the Goldreich-Ward instability mechanism plays a role.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

On the origin of the solar system and of Jupiter and its satellites

The evolution of the middle part of the primitive solar nebula is traced through seven stages: (1) a gravitational instability which clumps condensed material into bodies of appreciable size; (2) the formation of a larger body as a result of mutual collisions; (3) gravitational condensation of the gas in the nebula; (4) subsequent hydrodynamic collapse of the gas onto a heavy-element planetary core; (5) the attainment of a highly distended hydrostatic configuration and its subsequent slow gravitational contraction; (6) the formation of a gaseous disk around proto-Jupiter; and (7) the formation of the Galilean satellites (and Amalthea) within this disk. Different theories on the origin of the primitive solar nebula are reviewed, models of Jupiter are evaluated, and the origin and evolution of the planet are traced through the indicated stages. It is proposed that Jupiter's current excess luminosity is due mostly to a loss of internal energy generated during the initially more rapid contraction period and, to a lesser degree, to the planet's current release of gravitational energy. The question of when the icy constituent was added to the outer two Galilean satellites is considered.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Further investigations of Jupiter models

It is noted that previously calculated models of Jupiter, in which the H/He ratio is assumed to be solar, required the inclusion of considerable additional mass in the form of volatilized condensates in the atmosphere and excess mass in the central core. Several additional models are considered in this paper which take into account the stricter constraints imposed by Pioneer 10 measurements of Jupiter's gravitational moments. These measurements have indicated that the mass of the excess volatilized condensates (assumed to be water) relative to the core mass (assumed to be rock) exceeds the relevant solar ratio. The present models are tested for sensitivity to variations in the H/He ratio, in the softness of the equation of state for water, in the treatment of the internal adiabat, in departures from an internal adiabat, and in temperature at the one-bar level. The preliminary results indicate that the ratio of excess water to rock in Jupiter is considerably in excess of the solar value.

Podolak, M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Cosmological considerations regarding Uranus

The cosmogony of Uranus is discussed within the context of a picture in which solid condensed materials accumulate to form a large body, which then acquires significant amounts of gas from the primitive solar nebula. Of prime cosmogonical importance is the tilt of the equatorial plane of the planet and of the plane of the satellite orbits by 98 deg with respect to the plane of the planetary orbit. The tilt of the planet can easily occur as a result of a major collision during the formation process; it seems most likely that the tilt of the satellite orbits requires that they were formed from a gaseous disk rotating about the planet after the tilt of the planetary rotational axis had occurred. Possible methods for tilting this gaseous disk are discussed. A strong early magnetic field may have helped in this and may have played an essential role in slowing down the spin of the planet to the present observed value. These processes may have produced significant compositional differences between the satellites of Uranus and those of Jupiter and Saturn.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Clumping of interstellar grains during formation of the primitive solar nebula

The author has previously shown that a considerable amount of clumping of interstellar grains is likely to take place during the free-fall collapse phase of an interstellar cloud which is forming the primitive solar nebula, with the assumption of sonic turbulence in the gas. The original estimate involved the crude assumption of hierarchal amalgamation of the grains upon collision. A Monte Carlo simulation of this process confirmed the general features of the results, but it was further found that the introduction of a low sticking probability reduced the size of the lumps quite significantly. A more realistic calculation was therefore carried out in which it was assumed that clumps of grains would tend to stick together if their collisions were approximately head-on, but that they would tend to fragment into smaller pieces if the collisions were more tangential. For typical values of the amalgamation parameter, this tends to spread the mass of the interstellar grains over a wide range of clump sizes, ranging from individual grains to objects in the millimeter or centimeter size.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗